Evaluation

The transition from pre-school to formal education is a current topic not only for the teaching profession, but also in political discussions about education. This project provides a contribution to this discourse by organizing and supervising the working together of kindergarten and elementary schools, in a case study manner. In order to transfer the experience gained and lessons learned successfully, it is important that the process is scientifically accompanied, supported and evaluated.

The evaluation of the project focuses on various levels:

1. Evaluation of the material being used and the accompanying learning activity.

The project provides insights into the use of a variety of materials from the viewpoint of the didactics of mathematics in kindergarten and elementary school. This concerns both the (cooperative) work of the children with the materials in terms of the mathematical learning opportunities while also monitoring the involvement of educators and teachers. The use of didactic accompanying material used in this context is also evaluated. The results are incorporated into the further development of didactic accompanying material.

2. Evaluation of the cooperative work between the children.

Within the framework of the project, the cooperative work between kindergarten children, in the last year of kindergarten, and school children (first graders) is specifically encouraged and supported. The focus of the evaluation is the structuring and development of the level of cooperation over the period of the project.

3. Evaluation of the cooperative work between educators and teachers.

The project supports and partners with already existing cooperation’s between kindergartens and elementary schools, and also encourages new cooperatives. The development of this cooperative work between the educators and teachers is continuously being evaluated both in the on-site facilities as well as during the training courses which are provided.

4. Evaluation of the training courses

The training courses which are developed and implemented as part of the project will be evaluated. The further development of the training modules is used for the evaluation.

The results of the various evaluation steps are systematically compiled and documented in a final report. In addition, intermediate results will be presented at conferences and published in professional journals. The aim of this process is the transparent disclosure of the entire development process and a safeguard for further projects in this field of education.